Flooding Water Can Turn Into A Mold Problem Fast!

2/16/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding storm surges in the streets of Cape Cod & The Islands can turn into a mold problem for properties.

With outside temperatures dipping and storm tides rising, the furthest thing from most property owners’ minds right now is the possibility of mold spores spreading on their walls. But it is not just summer’s humidity that can invite dampness or moisture into a home. Despite winter’s dry air, moisture can find its way into properties through ice dams and other means, creating the perfect environment for mold spores to form and take root.

It’s a good idea to check interior and exterior walls after a storm has passed and the ice begins to melt. I also recommend that property owners do a brief inspection at the end of the winter season. Any dark spots or water stains on the walls can be an indication that water infiltrated the home and it needs to be assessed sooner rather than later. Here’s what happened at a job we recently completed in South Yarmouth.

Our customer called, asking us to clean up what he thought was just a minor water damage in South Yarmouth, MA. But when we got there and looked at the problem, we realized the area of damage must of occured from an ice dam the previous winter and the damage done over the course of a year was significant. Mold spores had already formed and the fungus had established itself. The mold damage affected an interior wall in the kitchen area and the mold spores spread to a point that the entire kitchen had to be replaced.

Not sure if you have a mold problem in your home or business?

Signs and Symptoms that there are mold spores living with you.

• A stale, musty odor pervading the inside of your home. This odor will cling to fabrics, drapes even carpeting, including linens, window treatments, clothes, sometimes even after they have been washed.
• There are speckles of black and white appearing on surfaces in your home, such as on the walls.
• The black marks reappear even after you have cleaned them.
• Cardboard items in your basement, attic, or garage feel damp.
• The wooden parts of the structure of your house are soggy and or are rottening.

Mold Inspection versus Mold Testing

At SERVPRO of Upper Cape Cod and the Islands, inspecting for mold is a standard part of what we do. We know the signs to look for and how to identify a problem. Once we detect signs of mold, we search for the cause. After determining the source of the moisture, we begin the process of fixing the problem.

If there are no visible signs of mold spores, but there are some symptoms, allergens for example, the property owner can choose to have their home or business tested for mold. In this case, we recommend that they call in an unbiased, third party to do the testing. This eliminates any doubt or questions about the test results and makes for a good system of checks and balances. At SERVPRO of Upper Cape Cod and the Islands, we sell our services based on information and not scare tactics. If you need more information please contact us.